Before announcing that he would not be seeking re-election, Coble's campaign website listed the following issues:<ref>[http://cobleforcongress.com/issues.php ''Campaign website,'' "Issues," accessed September 13, 2013]</ref>

Coble is retiring at the end of his term, citing health concerns. He said, "But if I’m not physically capable of going full ahead I fear it would probably have a negative impact on the campaign. So I have dismissed that proposal and decided I will not seek re-election."[2]

Prior to serving in the House, Coble served as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard, the North Carolina House of Representatives and as U.S. Assistant Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.[3].

Based on analysis of multiple outside rankings, Coble is an average Democratic member of Congress, meaning he will vote with the Democratic Party on the majority of bills.

Biography

Coble was born in Greensboro, North Carolina. He attended Appalachian State University from 1949 to 1950 but earned his A.B. from Guilford College in 1958. He then earned his J.D. from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Law in 1962.[3]

Career

Coble took a break from his undergraduate studies and served in the United States Coast Guard from 1952 to 1956, later returning to serve from 1977 to 1978. In the interim, Coble served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve from 1960 to 1982. He was admitted to the North Carolina State Bar in 1966 and became a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1969. He also served in the House from 1979 to 1983. He served as United States Assistant Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina from 1969 to 1973 and as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Revenue from 1973 to 1977. He also worked as an attorney in private practice. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1984.[3]

Issues

Legislative actions

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 114 out of the 3,036 introduced bills (3.8 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[6] For more information pertaining to Coble's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[7]

National security

National Defense Authorization Act

Coble voted for HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[8]

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations

Coble voted for HR 2217 - the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 that was largely along party lines.[9]

Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act

Coble voted for HR 624 - the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act. The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill would allow federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities. The bill was largely supported by Republicans but divided the Democratic Party.[10]

Economy

Federal Statutory Pay Adjustment Elimination

Coble voted for HR 273 - Eliminates the 2013 Statutory Pay Adjustment for Federal Employees. The bill passed the House on February 15, 2013, with a vote of 261 - 154. The bill would prevent a 0.5% pay increase for all federal workers from taking effect, saving the federal government $11 billion over 10 years.[11]

Immigration

Morton Memos Enforcement Prohibition

Coble voted for House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain illegal aliens residing in the United States.[12] The vote largely followed party lines.[13]

Healthcare

Health Care Reform Rules

Coble voted for House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires that all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.[14]

Social issues

Abortion

Coble voted for HR 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The resolution passed the House on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 228 - 196 that largely followed party lines. The purpose of the bill is to ban abortions that would take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization.[15]

Previous congressional sessions

Fiscal Cliff

Howard voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was 1 of 85 Republicans that voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[16]

Campaign themes

2014

Before announcing that he would not be seeking re-election, Coble's campaign website listed the following issues:[17]

Abortion

Excerpt: "I oppose abortion on demand and have consistently voted to eliminate any federal funding for abortion. I also support prohibiting funding for clinics that do not provide abortions but support other clinics that do. In my view, life begins at conception and that issues such as abortion are best regulated by the states."

Education

Excerpt: "My view on education has always been to keep it local. If the issue can be solved by the city, county or state then it should be. The last resort should to be to rely on the federal government to tell our N.C. families how to educate their children. Education is such an important and vital issue to our state and country. It makes us not only more successful, but a more competitive country."

Energy

Excerpt: "Almost 50% of the crude oil we import is generated from the Western Hemisphere. In fact, our largest trading partners for oil and natural gas are Canada and Mexico. It is my strong belief that similar untapped opportunities exist within our borders, and we should utilize them to their maximum extent."

Health Care

Excerpt: "I believe that common-sense health care reform must be achieved, but a government takeover of our health care system is not the way. I opposed the health care law and continue to support a full repeal of this costly and fiscally responsible law. At an estimated cost of more than $1.1 trillion in its first 10 years, we cannot afford the price tag given our current economy."

Congressional Pay and Pension Plan

Excerpt: "If you are familiar with my record, you will know that I have historically opposed pay increases and excessive benefits for members of Congress. I fight hard to ensure your tax dollars are spent wisely. As a fiscal conservative, I have repeatedly voted against pay raises for members of Congress. Since the 1989 reforms to ethics rules, the congressional pay rise has been automatic unless the House passes legislation prohibiting the increase."

Full history

To view the full congressional electoral history for Howard Coble, click [show] to expand the section.

2010

On November 2, 2010, Howard Coble won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Sam Turner in the general election.[22]

U.S. House, North Carolina District 6 General Election, 2010

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Howard Cobleincumbent

75.2%

156,252

Democratic

Sam Turner

24.8%

51,507

Total Votes

207,759

2008

On November 4, 2008, Howard Coble won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Teresa Sue Bratton in the general election.[23]

U.S. House, North Carolina District 6 General Election, 2008

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Howard Cobleincumbent

67%

221,018

Democratic

Teresa Sue Bratton

33%

108,873

Total Votes

329,891

2006

On November 7, 2006, Howard Coble won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Rory Blake in the general election.[24]

U.S. House, North Carolina District 6 General Election, 2006

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Howard Cobleincumbent

70.8%

108,433

Democratic

Rory Blake

29.2%

44,661

Total Votes

153,094

2004

On November 2, 2004, Howard Coble won re-election to the United States House. He defeated William Jordan in the general election.[25]

U.S. House, North Carolina District 6 General Election, 2004

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Howard Cobleincumbent

73.1%

207,470

Democratic

William Jordan

26.9%

76,153

Total Votes

283,623

2002

On November 5, 2002, Howard Coble won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Tara Grubb in the general election.[26]

U.S. House, North Carolina District 6 General Election, 2002

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Howard Cobleincumbent

90.4%

151,430

Libertarian

Tara Grubb

9.6%

16,067

Total Votes

167,497

2000

On November 7, 2000, Howard Coble won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jeffrey Bentley in the general election.[27]

U.S. House, North Carolina District 6 General Election, 2000

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Howard Cobleincumbent

91%

195,727

Libertarian

Jeffrey Bentley

8.7%

18,726

N/A

Write-in

0.3%

632

Total Votes

215,085

1998

On November 3, 1998, Howard Coble won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jeffrey Bentley in the general election.[28]

U.S. House, North Carolina District 6 General Election, 1998

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Howard Cobleincumbent

88.6%

112,740

Libertarian

Jeffrey Bentley

11.4%

14,454

Total Votes

127,194

1996

On November 5, 1996, Howard Coble won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Mark Costley and Gary Goodson in the general election.[29]

U.S. House, North Carolina District 6 General Election, 1996

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Howard Cobleincumbent

73.4%

167,828

Democratic

Mark Costley

25.4%

58,022

Libertarian

Gary Goodson

1.2%

2,693

Total Votes

228,543

1994

Coble ran unopposed for re-election in 1994.
1992

On November 3, 1992, Howard Coble won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Robin Hood (D) in the general election.[30]

U.S. House, North Carolina District 6 General Election, 1992

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Howard Cobleincumbent

70.8%

162,822

Democratic

Robin Hood

29.2%

67,200

Total Votes

230,022

1990

On November 6, 1990, Howard Coble won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Helen R. Allegrone (D) in the general election.[31]

U.S. House, North Carolina District 6 General Election, 1990

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Howard Cobleincumbent

66.7%

125,902

Democratic

Helen R. Allegrone

33.3%

62,913

Total Votes

188,815

1988

On November 8, 1988, Howard Coble won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Tom Gilmore (D) in the general election.[32]

U.S. House, North Carolina District 6 General Election, 1988

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Howard Cobleincumbent

62.5%

116,534

Democratic

Rom Gilmore

37.5%

70,008

Total Votes

186,542

1986

On November 4, 1986, Howard Coble won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Robin Britt (D) in the general election.[33]

U.S. House, North Carolina District 6 General Election, 1986

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Howard Cobleincumbent

50%

72,329

Democratic

Robin Britt

50%

72,250

Total Votes

144,579

1984

On November 6, 1984, Howard Coble won election to the United States House. He defeated Robin Britt (D) and Maryl Lynn Farber (Socialist Workers) in the general election.[34]

U.S. House, North Carolina District 6 General Election, 1984

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Howard Coble

50.6%

102,925

Democratic

Robin Britt

49.3%

100,263

Socialist Workers

G Maryl Lynn Farber

0.1%

285

Total Votes

203,473

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Coble is available dating back to 2000. Based on available campaign finance records, Coble raised a total of $3,503,763 during that time period. This information was last updated on May 16, 2013.[35]

Lifetime voting record

According to the website GovTrack, Coble missed 538 of 17,203 roll call votes from Jan 1985 to Apr 2013, which is 3.1% of votes during that period. This is worse than the median of 2.2% among the lifetime records of representatives currently serving.[46]

Congressional staff salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Coble paid his congressional staff a total of $990,111 in 2011. Overall, North Carolina ranked 7th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[47]

Net worth

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Coble's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $1,392,690 to $2,817,654. That averages to $2,105,172, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican House members in 2011 of $7,859,232. His average net worth increased by 2.89% from 2010.[48]

2010

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Coble's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $1,282,073 to $2,810,031. This averages out to $2,046,052 which is lower than the average net worth of Republicans in 2010 of $7,561,133.[49]

National Journal vote ratings

2012

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Coble tied with one other member of the U.S. House of Representatives, ranking 153rd in the conservative rankings among members of the U.S. House.[50]

2011

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Coble ranked 166th in the conservative rankings among members of the U.S. House.[51]

Voting with party

June 2013

Coble voted with the Republican Party 94.6% of the time, which ranked 97th among the 234 House Republican members as of June 2013.[52]